Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Our Sweet Little Billy

I never told you (because I didn’t want to think about it) but before Billy even had his first elbow surgery it was discovered that his hips were bad, the right hip was worse than the other but he showed signs of both hips bothering him when the orthopedic examined him. At this time they could even see some small, small changes on his knees but nothing that needed surgery at that point and I didn’t want to hear about it so I forced myself to forgot about his potentially bad knees. My main and only focus at that point was his elbows. Of course I was worried about his hips but his knees… no, they were not bad at that point so why worry about it.

Before surgery the orthopedic did say that euthanasia would be an option, however, if we wanted to go ahead with the surgeries it would be ok, but we had to fully understand that there was a chance that Billy wouldn’t recover the way we were hoping for and that we could be forced to make a tough decision at a later date. At this time though, both Mr L and I felt we had to give Billy a fair chance, euthanasia at that point was out of the question.

Both elbow surgeries went well, we were very positive despite him limping for a long time even after the surgeries. Eventually we could start to see an improvement, but he was still very stiff and he hated when anyone was trying to touch his legs. He was still the nicest, sweetest dog, he never growled even though it probably hurt when the physical therapists and the orthopedics were bending his legs. We both remained very hopeful and positive, we had decided that we were going to ride it out… it was going to work out. No doubt.

Well, that was up until Christmas when he started limping on his right rear leg. I knew it wasn’t good and my gut feeling said: “this is really bad”. The physical therapist thought, in the beginning, that he might have just pulled a muscle and that it would go away, but it didn’t. The limping got worse. I was so sure it was his hip and it never crossed my mind that it would be anything else.

We already had a pre-scheduled appointment with the Orthopedic for a check-up of his elbows, so she began checking his elbows and she said they still weren’t as good as she had hoped for. Then, she examined his rear leg and after bending tests and various walking/running tests she said she wanted to X-ray both his back legs again. I was so worried the X-rays would show the hips looking even worse this time, despite all the swimming and walking on the water treadmill. You see, the physical therapists had said that the hip could give Billy problems now because he had been so inactive due to his elbows. And that it becomes a bad cycle – he needed, as soon as the elbows were better, to become more active as that would help his bad hip (building more muscles will help hip dysplasia). Even though I was worried sick, it still, for some reason did not cross my mind that it could be something “more”….

After the X-rays were done, I saw our orthopedic showing Billy’s X-rays to the chief surgeon. He’s a very well known orthopedic surgeon and I think I can be so cocky to say that he is the best one we have in Sweden, probably even the best one in Scandinavia (I know him from Alih’s days as he performed some surgeries on him). The orthopedic had me come along to a computer so she could show me the X-rays. And I saw it too. :(

She informed me that both Billy’s knees were bad (OC) and she was shocked that he could walk as well as he could on the left rear leg because it looked really bad (it was the right rear leg that he was limping on). Considering all the problems Billy had, she didn’t think he would ever get well again, even if they operated on his knees. He still had bad hips and it was just too many joint issues for him to ever be able to have a normal life. He would probably be forced to being on a lead for the rest of his life (never being able to run off leash!!!!) and even with several surgeries, he would probably always need pain medication. She said (and this was what I had dreaded the whole time): “the most humane thing would be to put Billy to sleep”.

Life is cruel. Not even a year has gone by since we lost our beloved Alih. And now this. This is cruel.

The amount of pain you are in must be unbearable. I think you did the kindest thing to Billy though. He could have gone on living. He went on living without complaining because he was a strong boy. Only when the pain hurt too much, he showed his limp and weakness. It must have been terrible for you having Alih go just a year ago too. You don't deserve that much pain, but Billy, he deserved you. He got the best owner that could give everything to him in his short, but fulfilled life.

A message from Rosie:

Emelie (from Debijantes) is a great person, and cares for her dogs better than anything in the world. Her first litter was a real success, all the pups are stunning, have great temperament and working drive. Her next litter is planned in the Summer/Fall of this year.

I think Just Ask is a great kennel too. I don't know Gerard O'shea personally though. Veto, the sire that you like, is really a terrific boy. He has a ton of personality and working drive, good health, and good looks :)

I'm so sorry for your loss Lina! I can't even imagine. I remember how heartbroken I was after I lost Aslan, and I thought I would never get another dog as no one could replace him. Then after a while, I felt that urge again and I got Sheba. I can't imagine what it would have been like losing her so shortly again. I'm so sorry for you.

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ABOUT ME

I am a Swedish-American gal with a Master's Degree in Business. I love to travel, as a matter of fact, I believe that's what life is all about. However, a life without dogs would be no life. ;) After many years in Los Angeles, and a year in London, I am now living in Sweden.